It has long been the policy of the Town Board of the Town of Southampton
to conserve, protect and encourage the use of its agricultural land for the
production of food and other agricultural products. Over the years, farms
have become increasingly hemmed in by residential development, leading to
a greater potential for conflict between some of the everyday consequences
of farming activities, such as dust, noise and odors, and the desires of homeowners
to enjoy their property free of the nuisances that agricultural production
can generate. It is the purpose of this article to help reduce the pressure
on farmers to give up their agricultural operations. The minimal nuisance
which may be experienced by the surrounding community from agricultural operations
is more than offset by the benefits of the preservation of working landscape
and the contributions to rural character and economy that farming provides.

Notwithstanding any other provision of this Code, agricultural activities,
if consistent with good agricultural practices and if conducted on farmland
established prior to surrounding nonagricultural activities, are deemed reasonable
and shall not be considered to be a nuisance or an interference with the comfortable
enjoyment of life and property, unless the activity has a substantial adverse
effect on the public health and safety, and provided that such activities
are not being conducted in violation of any other provision of the Town Code.